Carl Orff (1895-1982)
Autograph working draft for the cantata Catulli Carmina signed ('Carl Orff'), [1943]
A compositional manuscript for one of Orff's most famous works, the sequel to Carmina Burana.

Sketches for soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices in five numbered sections with title 'Catulli Carmina Pars I', in ink and pencil on up to 25 staves per page, 8 pages, 395 x 284mm, on 30-stave paper. Modern green morocco gilt folder.

Provenance:
(1) Sotheby's, 28 November 2012, lot 240.

(2) Schøyen Collection, MS 5514.

Catulli Carmina is the second part of Trionfi, the musical triptych begun with Orff's most famous work, Carmina Burana (1937), and extends that work's experiments with repeated phrases and syncopated rhythms. In its final version it is for full choir, soprano and tenor soloists, and an orchestra comprising purely percussion instruments (which however plays only in the prelude and postlude). It was first performed on 6 November 1943 at the Leipzig Opera.